Community Services

Health Visitors

Tel No0131 440 7832answering machine available

The Health Visitor is a trained nurse with experience in ante-natal care, parent craft, baby and childcare, and children with special needs. She works closely with other members of the practice team, undertaking the immunisation and developmental assessments of children under 5 years Her role is more involved in Health Promotion and education than nursing care.

She can also help with the following:

Child Health Issues

Personal or family worries

Breast/bottle feeding

Weaning/eating problems

Potty training/bedwetting

Behavioural problems

Sleep problems

Accident prevention

Post-natal depression

Weight problems/healthy eating

Child Protection issues

Currently the health visiting team are centrally located in Roslin Medical Centre however patients will continue to be seen in their own locality.

District Nurses

The district nursing team are centrally located in Penicuik Health centre and can be contacted by phoning01968 671535.

The district nurse works in the community with the housebound and those unable, temporarily, to attend the surgery for nursing needs.

The nurse will give help and advice on incontinence management.

Travel Vaccinations

Due to changes in our nursing service recently, we are now able to offer a travel advice service. Please collect a Travel Questionnaire and hand in the completed form to reception a minimum of 6 weeks prior to travel. Anyone who is travelling within 6 weeks will be advised to attend a Travel Clinic. We will continue to administer certain vaccinations (i.e. Hepatitis A and Typhoid) that have always been provided free through NHS services for travel purposes. After attending a Travel Clinic any vaccines that are provided on the NHS can be given at the practice. Please provide written proof from the Travel Clinic before attending the practice for an appointment.

For more complicated travel plans where it is likely that other vaccinations or anti-malarials are required we recommend that you engage with a local travel service. There is a wide variety available in the local area ranging from local chemists to more formal clinics at theWestern General Hospital.

There is further information about countries and vaccinations required on the links below:

Some travel vaccines are ordered on a private prescription and these incur a charge over and above the normal prescription charge. This is because not all travel vaccinations are included in the services provided by the NHS.

Travel Health Questionnaire

To help us offer the appropriate advice, please fill out the online form before coming to see the nurse.

If you are travelling to Europe the EU has published useful information for travellers on the European website.

Clinics & Services

Health Promotion

All medical and nursing staff are actively involved in health promotion. We are pleased to give you advice on smoking cessation, alcohol overuse or the misuse of drugs.

Alternatively for drug and alcohol problems, patients can attend the open access gateway clinic held each Friday morning in the other side of the building. No appointment is required to attend this clinic.

Diabetes

A diabetes clinic is held twice a month on a Wednesday afternoon. This is run by Dr Howe and Judith Walter (practice nurse). It is only for patients with type 2 diabetes. If the clinic timing is awkward for you, then we can be flexible about scheduling appointments for your diabetes care at other times.

Child Health

Child immunisations and health surveillance clinics are done by the Health Visitor or her staff nurse.

Maternity

The midwives provide care for pregnant women and hold clinics in the Practice on Thursdays by appointment. They can be contacted by phoning01968 672612and asking for the midwives.

If you think you may be pregnant you can make an appointment with one of the GP’s who will refer you to the Lothian Health Board Maternity Services. Alternatively you can contact the Maternity services direct on 0131 536 2009 to arrange for ante-natal booking.

Wart Clinic

The practice provides a regular clinic for the treatment of warts and other small growths. Please see a GP prior to arranging an appointment at the wart clinic (preferably Dr Burt).

Family Planning & Contraception

We offer a full family planning and contraceptive advice service. We are able to fit and remove coils and implants during normal working hours. Anyone wishing this service should make an appointment with Dr Cruden for advice on requirements.

Cervical Smears

Cervical smear tests are usually performed by one of the nurses. It would be helpful if you could tell the receptionist when making the appointment that it is for a smear and extra time will be allocated to you.

Minor Surgery

Minor surgery/Joint injections are performed by Dr Fraser and Dr Burt Please arrange an appointment ideally with the above named doctors to discuss this.

Blood Pressure Checks

Physiotherapists

For general physiotherapy advice and to to discuss whether involvement of a physiotherapist is appropriate please contact the musculoskeletal helpline on0845 604 0001 (Mon-Fri 2pm – 8pm).

For a formal physiotherapy referral please see a GP routinely to discuss.

Non-NHS Services

Our contract with the NHS covers the provision of sickness certificates for people who are employed/unemployed. Most other certificates and forms are not covered by the NHS. We provide these as a private service and charge at a cost which reflects the time taken and our costs in employing staff and nurses and our expenses running the Health Centre. Please check the fee payable and if you aren’t sure what the fee may be, please ask a member of staff. We have given a range of fees as the time and complexity of individual situations vary. If we need to charge more than the figures listed here, we will let you know in advance.

Request

Cost

Prescriptions

Private prescription (generally for travel purposes)

£10

Certificates

Private Sickness Certificate

£13.00

Freedom from Infection Certificate

£15.00 - £45.00

Fitness to Exercise in Health Club

£20.00 - £40.00

Travel

Holiday Cancellation Certificate(Please fill in your section of the certificate first as we need to know when the holiday was booked.)